Andorra (Andorre) is a principality in the Pyrenees between France and Spain. Andorra has a total area of 450 km2. The climate is temperate; snowy, cold winters and cool, dry summers. The terrain is rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys. Natural resources are hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore and lead, but the country derives most of its revenue from tourism and international banking, having a reputation as a tax haven for those wishing to evade paying domestic taxes at home. The religion is virtually all Roman Catholic. The official language is Catalan. Many people also speak some French and Castilian.
Andorra was declared a fee state by the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne during the 9th century. In 1278 the principality came under the joint sovereignty of France and Spain - the Bishop of Urgel representing Spanish interests - and in 1993 Andorra adopted a constitution that gave the country virtual independence and admission to the United Nations. Research Andorra
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